Liechtenstein Ratifies the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty

PI/2004/14

Liechtenstein has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) with the United Nations Secretary-General on 21 September 2004, bringing the total number of Treaty ratifications to 116. The number of ratifying States in the North America and Western Europe geographical region now stands at 26.

The CTBT bans all nuclear weapon test explosions. Drafted at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, and adopted by the General Assembly on 10 September 1996, the Treaty was opened for signature on 24 September 1996 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

To enter into force, the CTBT must be signed and ratified by the 44 States listed in Annex 2 to the Treaty. These States formally participated in the work of the 1996 session of the Conference on Disarmament and possessed nuclear power or research reactors at that time. To date, 32 of the Annex 2 States have ratified the Treaty. Fourteen of the 15 Annex 2 States in the North America and Western Europe geographical region have ratified the Treaty.